Bagels and Ballots – Thursday
Big Bucks: Florida’s Republican senatorial candidate Marco Rubio has held a lead in polls against rivals independent Charlie Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek — and yesterday posted that he raised $5 million in the last quarter. As Politico’s Alexander Burns puts it: “that’s a ridiculous fundraising performance, and if one of Rubio’s two opponents can compete in cash on hand it’s more likely to be Crist.” (Politico’s Morning Score)
Darlin’ Arlen on the Trail: In April 2009, longtime Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter announced he was going Democratic. He was then defeated in the primaries by Joe Sestak. And on Monday, he’s going to start campaigning for him. (Philadelphia Jewish Voice)
Bug Zapper for Congress: Much Chicago talk has focused on Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral run recently. As it turns out, Robert Dold, the Republican candidate running to represent the Windy City in the House, is an exterminator. He runs Rose Pest Solutions, “the same line of work that paid the bills for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay before the Texas Republican entered Congress.” (Wall Street Journal’s Washington Wire)
2016 Watch: As rumors that Obama will drop veep Joe Biden in favor of Hillary Clinton as his 2012 running mate have ignited the blogosphere, one thing is clear from the Secretary of State’s camp: it doesn’t really matter to her. Their sights are set on Air Force I. As a high-level 2008 campaign operative told Politico, that’s “not happening. … Stay tuned for 2016.” (Politico)
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered: Remember when Obama’s presidential seal fell off his lectern at a Fortune event? Well,David Axelrod wants you to know exactly what happened. As he told David Letterman, it was “witchcraft.” (CBS)
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